Everton announce Jeffers parting
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Article summary
Striker Francis Jeffers' return to Everton FC has ended and he will leave at the end of the season.
Article body
Striker Francis Jeffers' return to Everton FC on loan has ended on a sour note after the Merseyside club confirmed he would be leaving at the end of the season following a disagreement with manager David Moyes.
Limited opportunities
Jeffers rejoined Everton, his first club, in September on a season-long loan from Arsenal FC. However, his opportunities have been limited and he has scored just two goals, both in the FA Cup. The 23-year-old was left on the bench for Friday's game against Tottenham Hotspur FC which led to a "misunderstanding" with Moyes, Everton said in a statement.
Everton statement
Jeffers told Moyes that "he no longer wished to play" for him. Everton's statement added: "In an attempt to resolve the situation David Moyes met with Francis for a second time on Saturday morning, giving him the opportunity to retract his statement - something he chose not to do."
June return
Jeffers will return to Arsenal when his loan spell ends on 1 June. Although capped by England last season, he had struggled to break into the Highbury first team after his €12.1m move from Everton in summer 2001.
